Throw-back Sunday: Ranking the top 5 heart-warming moments from “Lost”

It’s Throw-Back Sunday TV Fans! I hope you are enjoying your weekend and wish you all the best for the upcoming holiday season.  Since it is that time of year, I started thinking about heart-warming moments from some of my favorite television shows.  For today, I am going to be counting down the top 5 heart-warming moments from Lost.  When you think of something heart-warming, what comes to mind?  According to the dictionary, it means something that is “emotionally rewarding or uplifting.”  Synonyms include:  “touching, moving, heartening, stirring, uplifting, pleasing, cheering, gladdening, encouraging, gratifying.”

So now that we know what it means, how does that translate for you into a single moment? I feel like different moments portrayed by our beloved characters on television impact us all in some way or another.  While some moments seem more heart-breaking than heart-warming, the line between these two often blurs if it has a glimmer of hope or happiness.  For me, it has to be a moment that truly resonates with me and stands the test of time.  Whether it is a particular dialogue that had meaning for me or a demonstration of unconditional love, the moment has to bring tears and a smile at the same time.  Sounds difficult to achieve, right?

What I love about heart-warming moments is that they bring out an array of emotions in us, but ultimately remind us of the importance of true connections with one another.  Sometimes a small act of kindness can have more of an impact than a grand gesture.  I think it’s important to remember that when we come across anyone who may be in need of some uplifting themselves.  What we do matters and our actions and words can truly make a difference.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not yet watched the series.

My top 5 heart-warming moments from Lost are:

5

Sawyer tells Jack about his conversation with Christian.

“And this guy, Christian, tells me he wishes he had the stones to pick up the phone, call his kid, tell him he’s sorry, that he’s a better doctor than he’ll ever be—he’s proud, and he loves him.” (Sawyer from episode Exodus part I)

What makes this moment truly heart-warming for me is that Sawyer has been trying so hard to make others hate him.  This takes place in season 1 and Sawyer is carrying quite a bit of emotional baggage around.  He goes out of his way to challenge Jack with every chance he gets and the two have somewhat of a rivalry throughout the whole show.  They are both initially in love with the same woman, Kate, and are both looked to as leaders by the group.  Initially, Sawyer proves that he is a man out for himself.  He keeps a stash of supplies hidden and refuses to help out just to do the right thing.  Jack, on the other hand, is selfless in his actions.  He attempts to motivate the Flight 815 survivors and embarks on several adventures because he knows they are counting on him.  However, Jack is not perfect either.  Before he got on Flight 815, he had traveled to Sydney, Australia to recover his father’s body.  Jack’s relationship with his father, Christian, was very complicated.

Christian frequently told Jack that he didn’t have what it takes and that he had trouble letting go.  When Jack arrives on the island, he begins even seeing his dead father roaming around the island, forcing his fears and insecurities to the surface.  Jack has always been under the impression that he wasn’t good enough, but when Sawyer shares this conversation with him, he is truly impacted and even sheds a tear.  Jack did have what it takes and his father was very proud of him.  They were both just too stubborn to admit this and unfortunately Christian died before ever sharing this with his son.  Throughout the series, we learn that many of the Losties have crossed paths before they stepped onto the plane and their lives and decisions are intertwined.  Sawyer’s decision to let Jack know about this proves that he truly is a good person deep down and recognizes the importance of family and friendship.

4

Jack passes the torch to Hurley.

“It was only supposed to be me so I can do this. But if someone has to take care of the island, if someone has to protect it…then it should be you Hurley.  I believe in you.” (Jack from episode The End)

Fans were not surprised when Jack stepped up to volunteer to become the candidate who would take Jacob’s place to protect the island.  Jack has always reacted quickly and made tough decisions for the greater good.  However, when he ultimately passes the torch to fan-favorite, Hurley, this was a truly touching and heart-warming moment.  Throughout the series, Hurley demonstrates that he wears his heart on his sleeve.  He always tries to make others laugh and help out, even when he is told he’ll just get in the way.  Jack and everyone else recognize that Hurley’s gift is taking care of others which is why this moment is so beautiful.

Hurley always had trouble believing in himself and now he has to face his fear and embrace this important responsibility.  He tells Jack that he will only do it temporarily until he gets back, but will ultimately become the permanent protector of the island.  Hurley was capable of being a leader all along; he just needed to believe it.  Jack’s belief in him gives him the courage to unleash his potential.

3

Charlie and Claire have imaginary peanut butter together.

“I remember peanut butter.  Why do I remember peanut butter?” (Claire from episode Homecoming)

For me, this is one of the most iconic and romantic moments on the show.  When Charlie and Claire are first starting to get to know one another, she is revealed to be very pregnant, but Charlie isn’t scared off by her in the slightest.  Their friendship and budding romance has an innocent quality and allows viewers to feel young again.  When Charlie asks Claire if there is anything she craves or misses, she admits that she is “the only Australian who loves peanut butter.”

Charlie is disappointed when he cannot initially find any, but he doesn’t give up here.  He shows up with an empty jar and pretends that it is filled with peanut butter.  The two sit on the beach and enjoy the imaginary peanut butter together, laughing and gazing at each other with joy.  What I love about this moment is that everyone around them is worrying, while Charlie and Claire take a small moment to have some fun and forget about the chaos for just a little while.

2

Penny answers Desmond’s call after 8 years.

“I won’t call for eight years.  December 24, 2004.  Christmas Eve.  I promise.  Please, Pen.” (Desmond from episode The Constant)

Seems like a lot to ask of someone, right?  Desmond and Penny have broken up, but he shows up on her doorstep and tells her that she can’t change her number and that she must answer his call 8 years later.  Even I would think that person is absolutely crazy.  It’s not like Desmond can exactly explain that his mind is traveling between times and that Penny is the key to saving his life.  Desmond and Penny’s love has always been something epic and timeless.  They are frequently separated but refuse to give up on one another.  They teach us that true love does exist but that it doesn’t always work out so perfectly.  Penny and Desmond both make mistakes along the way, but ultimately end up together because they never stop believing in their love for one another.  It’s a powerful and undeniable bond that cannot be broken.

When Desmond snaps back into the current time, he dials Penny’s number on the freighter.  It rings several times as fans were on the edge of their seats, wondering if she would answer after all this time.  When Penny does answer the phone, Desmond’s memory and mind are healed and she reminds him that she won’t give up on him.  Very similar to true love’s kiss from fairy-tales, this moment reminds us that having someone you love stick by you can help you overcome any challenge or impossible task.  You just need to believe in it.

1

Vincent stays with Jack so he is not alone.

But if we can’t live together, we’re going to die alone.” (Jack from episode White Rabbit)

While I admit that I probably have shed more tears than smiles in this moment, there is something truly uplifting and heart-warming about this last scene on the show.  Jack is dying after he has sacrificed himself to re-light the island and is wandering through the same bamboo forest he did when he first woke up here after his flight crashed.  To bring everything full circle, Jack lies down and looks at the sky, waiting for the end to come.

A familiar bark is heard and Walt’s dog, Vincent appears by his side and lies down next to him.  As an animal lover myself, this moment really resonated with me.  The unconditional love a dog has for a companion is something that is truly special.  When Jack’s eye closes, similar to when his eye opened in the beginning of the series, he knows that his words held true.  He is not alone.  He never was.  He helped his friends and he made a difference that will stand the test of time.

I hope you enjoyed the list and please feel free to post some of your own favorite heart-warming moments from Lost below.  Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl